Lowell Couple Uncovers $500,000 Prize Scam
LOWELL (CBS) - When something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
A Lowell couple knows that and their good judgment kept them from falling into a trap.
WBZ-TV's Paul Burton reports
Dorothy and Tom Shanahan thought they hit the jackpot when they received what looked like a letter from Reader's Digest in the mail.
When Dorothy opened it up, it claimed she won $500,000.
What made it more enticing was a certified check for $2,900 also included in the letter.
Then she began to read the fine print. They even called the number on the letter.
"I knew there was red flags in there because you shouldn't have to pay money to win money," Dorothy told WBZ-TV.
The letter said in order for her to receive the money she first had to mail in a personal check of $1,400.
"Once he told me it was $1,400 and it was a one-time fee, I knew there something was wrong."
"I said take that check and throw it away," Tom said.
Dorothy contacted police and they confirmed her gut feeling.
"He said it was definitely a scam."
The letter also asked her to keep the winnings confidential.
"Now you think I'm going to keep this confidential? No, I just won $500,000! I'm going to run downstairs and tell people."
The Shanahans said they have never been scammed like this before but they know a lot of people have, especially seniors who could use the extra money. So they were thinking this could be their lucky day.
"I truly believe I am lucky because I didn't send the money and more people have. And I just hope one person this helps, just not to send the money," Dorothy said.
The Shanahans said they certainly could have used the money to help pay off some of their medical bills and rent.
